DesJarlais gets first primary challenge

Tennessee state Sen. Jim Tracy (R) announced on Wednesday that he plans to mount a primary challenge against Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.) in 2014, the first of what's expected to be a number of Tennessee Republicans launching bids against the embattled incumbent.

DesJarlais has received scrutiny after details surrounding his divorce and a series of affairs, including some with patients and a drug-industry representative, became public.

ADVERTISEMENT

Though aspects of the scandal, which raised doubts about his proclaimed anti-abortion-rights stances, came out during the campaign, DesJarlais won reelection in his safely red district by almost 12 percentage points.

“I am a conservative in word and deed. I have lived my life both personally and professionally in a way that is consistent with my core conservative values,” he said in a statement announcing his candidacy, according to the Tennesseean. “I promise that I will never embarrass you with my personal conduct or compromise on my conservative principles.”

Tracy ran for the GOP nomination in Tennessee's 6th district in 2010, finishing third.